Charles w



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @wus/vibo@ CHARLESN. Mms

C W MILLS AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER Filed Oct..

April 13 1926.`

C. W. MILLS AUTOMAT I C WATER HEATER April 13 1926.

Filed OCT.. 25, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www 1 other point where it is Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

QHARLES w. MILLS, on SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER.

l Application filed October 25, 1922.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. MILLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Water I-Ieaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic water heaters, and has for its object to provide a novel, simple and instantaneous waterheating device, which may be installed adjacent a sink, lavatory, bath-tub, or at any desired to draw and use hotwater. A further object is to provide a heating apparatus comprisinga cylindrical heating element or fluid fuel burner, which is disposed concentric-ally nan annular drum that is arranged to contain a relatively thin body of water, the said hea-ting element being supplied with combustible gas, whose delivery is vregulated enfirely by the volume of the water which flows through the apparatus when the hotwater faucet is opened.l A further object is to provide novel means for automatically igniting the gas supplied to the heating element. A further object is to provide tension means which co-operatesvwith the normal cold water pressure for automatically shutting olf the supply of the gas to the burner, whenever the hot-water vfaucet is closed.

I attain these objects by the means set forth in the detailed description which follows, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in whic Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section, taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 2; showing the water and gas valves closed. Fig. 2 is a top-plan view of thedevice. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section, also taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2; showing the water and gas valves open. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3 with the valve omitted. Fig. 5 is a similar section, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. And Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 2 represents the cold water supply pipe, which connects by a gland-nut 2 with a cold water fitting 3, the latter having a lateral branch 3, which conducts the cold water to the annular drum 4, to which it is connected by a gland-nut 3a. The fitting 3 is provided with a hollow cylindrical portion 3", which aligns axially with the pipe 2, and comprises a valve Serial No. 596,852. Y

chamber 3d, in which a valve 5 plays. The chamber 3d receives the water 2 through a by-pass 3, and the chamber 3d discharges the cold water into the branch 3 through a by-pass 3e. The valve 5 conf trols the flow of the larger volume of the cold water from the pipe 2 towards theV drum 4. During the intervals in which n0 hot water is being drawn from the heater, the valve 5 is positioned, as shown in Fig. 1, and prevents the directly from the pipe 2 into the branch 3. By this constructionand arrangement of the parts, the cold water must flow through the by-pass 3 to the chamber 3d, andv thence through the by-pass 3e in order to reach the branchv 3 and the drum 4. The chamber 3L1 being larger than the valve-opening 3f, the filling of the said, chamber tends to force and hold the valve 5 in the closed position, shown in Fig. 1. 6 represents the hot-water outlet, to which the usual hot water faucet (not shown) may be attached, and by means of which the hot water may be drawn off from the drum 4. The opening of the hot water faucet induces a greater' flow of the cold water from the pipe 2 into the fitting 3, than the by-'passes 3-3e can carry, and therefore the valve 5 is moved towards the right, as shown in Fig.. 3,. for opening thev main passage from the pipe 2 into the branch 3. This movement of the valve 5 being effected by the full cold water pressure, readily and quickly empties the chamber 3d, by forcing the water contained therein through the by-pass 3e, which may be readily effected, since the opening of the hot water faucet instantly reduces the pressure in they drum 4, and thereby induces a flow that exceeds the capacity of the said by-passes. This-opening of the valvel 5 is quickened and rendered more ositive by reason of the cuppin-g of the said valve, as' at 5, in a well-known manner. Y

rIhe drum 4 is Substantially cylindrical, and its opposite ends are open and externally threaded for facilitating the attachment of similar annular caps 4a-4b, which are provided with threaded flanges 4C for the purpose. These caps are also provided with similar flanges 4d adjacent their inner circumferences the latter flanges' serving asy annular abutments for a concentric cylinder 7, which together with the drum 4 forms a relatively thin or shallow water chamber 7. rThe cylinder 7 is preferably made of relafrom the pipe` cold water from passing tively thin gauge metal for offering the least resistance to the heating of the water, and its opposite ends are provided with similar outwardly projecting annular iianges T *1, which snugly engage the inner faces of the caps 4n-4, for effecting adequate water seals at said points. rllhe interior of the drum 7 comprises the combustion chamber 7b of the heater, and within this chamber is concentrically disposed a hollow cylindrical heating element or burner 8, which is considerably smaller in diameter than the drum 7, as well as the openings in the caps 4a-4b, and its entire circumference is perfoiated, as at 8, for the jetting of the combustible gas, by which the water in the chamber T is heated. rlhe ends of the burner are preferably closed, as shown, for preventingthe escape of the gas except through the perforartions. rlihe top end SiL is preferably provided with a scalloped flange 8, the latter being perforated to receive bolts 8d, which are threaded into the cap 4, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The lower end 8" of the burner has a central gas opening and said end is also provided with threaded openings to receive bolts 9, by which a branch 9 of a gas-fitting 9 is rigidlysecured to the burner. rlihe body of the iitting 9, whose axis aligns with that of the portion 3" of the iitting 3, is provided with a, common gas chamber 9, which is constantly supplied with gas from a pipe 10. rlhe gas chamber 9" adjacent the branch 9 is formed with a seat for the main gas valve 12, which controls the intermittent flow of the gas from the chamber 9b towards the burner 8. rihe valve 12 is mounted on a stein 12, which projects into the valve chamber 9c, and in which chainL ber is disposed a cushion spring 13, whose tension tends to yieldingly hold the valve 12 in its seat. For convenience in assembling the valve 12, the body 9 is provided with a screw-plug 9d. The opposite end of the gas chamber 9b is formed with a smaller seat for the pilot light valve 14, the latter being rigid on a stein 14, which aligns axially with the stem 12 and the valve 5. A coil spring 14a is disposed between the valve 14 and the inner end of the stem 12, and exerts its tension for seating the valve 14. The normal tension of the spring 14L is .not strong enough to unseat the valve 12. 9e represents an arm of the fitting 9, whose free end isformed with a cup 15', for shielding a constantly burning pilot light 15, which is supplied with gas by means of a relatively small normally open duct 15, which taps the gas chamber 9b. rilhe iiow of the gas through the duct 15a is regulated by a screw 15b. By this construction and arrangement the pilot light receives the gas notwithstanding the positions of the valves 12 and 14. The stein 14 of the valve 14 passes through a bore 14h, and a portion of said stem is reduced reserves to form a gas chamber 14c which is filled with the gas whenever the valve 14 is unseated. Frein the chamber 14C the gas then flows through a duct 14d which delivers the gas to the duct 15L beyond the valve 15b. rl`his extra supply of the gas causes the pilot light to flash and extend beyond the cup 15 into the combustion chamber 7'), for igniting the gas which may es Iape through the perforations of the burner 8, following the opening of the valve 12. The enlargement of the pilot frame, however, is only momentary for the normal diameter portion of the stem 14 continues to move to the right in Figure 1 until it completely crosses the lower end of the duct 14d and closes the same to the [low of gas therethrough. Consequently, the augmented flow of gas to the pilot burner occurs only from the initial unseating of valve 14 until the adjacent reduced portion of the valve stem moves entirely across th lower end of the duct 14d, when the enlarged flow is reduced to the normal flow through the passage 15a. rlhe remote or left end of the stem 14.continues through the fitting 9 and projects into the valve chamber 3, at which point the said stem is fitted with an adjusting screw 14e, which is employed for varying the strokes of the stems 14 and 12, when the stem 14 is engaged and driven towards the right by the opening of the valve 5. The gas-fitting is provided with a flange Qf which is bolted to corresponding flange ot the fitting 3", and the flange Sl serves as a closure for the valve chamber 3d as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. rlhe scallops 8C are arranged to provide a number of slight openings 4e for the escape of the waste products of combustion from the chamber 7".

rlChe operation of my improved water heater, which is extremely simple, is as follows: Assuming that the apparatus is connected up, and that the various parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, the open .ing of the liet-water faucet for drawing the hot-water from the drum 4, instantly elfects the opening of the valve 5, moving the same from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 3. This diverts the cold water from the pipe 2 directly into the branch 3, and empties the chamber 3d. At the same time the valve 5 enga-ges and moves the stem 14 in the direction for opening the valve 14. rllhe opening of the latter valve increases the supply of the gas to the pilot light 15, and also eiiiects the unseating of the gas valve 12 through the engagement of the stem 14 with the stem 12. This allows the gas to `iiow from the chamber 9b to the burner 8, where it is instantly ignited by the enlarged pilot light 15. It will be noted that the valve 14 has a limited movement prior to engaging valve stem 12 so that the pilot flame is enlarged just previous to the flow of gas to the burner so that when the main 1 flow doesbegin the pilot light is of proper size to instantly ignite it. The first water drawn from` the drum, will be cold. `But within a few seconds warm, andthen hot water will be obtainable in a steady stream. The temperature of the water may be varied by partially opening and closing the outlet 6, in a well-known manner. The shutting off of the hot water faucet, stops the flow of the water through the branch 3 and the drum l, and relieves the pressure upon the valve 5 to such extent that the said valve will be closed after a short interval (see Fig. l), by the refilling of the chamber 3d, as explained. As soon as the flow of the water through the heater is stopped, and the pressure against the valve 5 is relaxed, as described, the springs 13 and llla effect the closing of the valves l2 and 14 and also partially return the valve 5 to its closed position. The closing of the valve let reestablishes the normal feed of the gas to the pilot light 15.r as explained.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim, is-

l. A water heater including a water chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a burner for heating the chamber, a valve for supplying gas to the burner, a pilot light for igniting the gas at the burner, a valve having movement independent of the first valve for increasing the normal feed of the gas to said light prior to actuation of said first valve, a valve for controlling the flow of water to the chamber, a by-pass structure t'or supplying water to the chamber while the heater is idle, means actuated by the opening of the water-control valve for successively opening` the pilot light valve and the gas burner valve, and means for closing the gas-control valves and for starting the closing of the water-control valve upon stopping the flow of water through the chamber.`

2. In a water heater, a chamber having a cold-water inlet and a hot-water outlet, a burner for heating the chamber, acold-water pipe and a fitting having a branch for conducting cold water to the chamber connected to said pipe, a valve carried by said fitting for controlling the flow of the cold water directly into said branch, a valve for controlling the flow of gas to said burner, a pilot light adapted to ignite the gas in the burner, a valve for controlling a part of the flow of the gas to the pilot light, means actuated by the opening of the water-control valve for sequentially opening the pilot light valve and the gas burner valve, and means for closing the last two valves and for partially closing the water-control valve.

3. In a water heater, a water chamber having a cold-water inlet and a hot-water outlet, a burner for the chamber, a coldwater pipe and a fitting connected thereto, said fitting having a branch for conducting the Vcold Water towards the inlet of the chamber, a valve carried yby said fitting for controlling the flow of cold water directly into said branch, means operable by the valve, on opening, for supplying fuel to the burner, and a valve chamber forthe valve in said fitting, said chamber connected toy said cold water pipe and to said branch by a byfpass adapted to supply Water to the chamber and said branch, the water entering through the by-pass behind the valve to hold said valve in closed position while said outlet remains closed.

4. In a water heater, a water chamber having inlet and outlet ports, a burner for heating the chamber, a valve for supplying gas to the burner, a pilot light for igniting the gas at the burner, a valve for increasing momentarily the flow of gas to the pilot light, a connection between the valves permitting of slight initialor prior actuation of the pilot light valve relative to the gas burner valve, means including said connection for closing the valves, and means operi able by the pressure of water flowing to the chamber for opening the two valves in order.

5. -In a water heater, a water chamber having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a cylindrical burner for heating the chamber, a vvalve for supplying fuel gas to said burner, a pilot light adapted to ignite the gas in the burner, a valve for controlling the gas to sai-d light, a cold water fitting and acold Water pipe connected theret0, said fitting having a branch for conducting the cold water to the inlet opening of the chamber, a valve carried by said fitting for controlling the flow of cold water through said branch, means actuated by the opening of' said cold-water valve for sequentially opening the pilot light valve and the fuel-gas valve, and means for closing the. gas valves and for partially closing the water valve when the flow of water through the. chamber is arrested.

6. In a water heater, a water chamber having inlet and outlet ports, a burner for heating4 the chamber, a spring-seated valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, a pilot light for igniting thegas at the burner, a valve for controlling and momentarily increasing the flow of gas to the pilot light, said valve for the pilot light when opening acting also to open the gas burner valve, said pilot light valve being slightly spaced from the latter to permit prior actuation to a limited extent, a spring interposed Vbetween the two valves for seating the pilot light valve as the spring of the gasburner valve seats the latter, and means operable by the pressure of Water fiowing to the chamber for eecting an unseating of the pilot light valve and the gas burner valve. 7. In a water heater, a water supply pipe having an offset cylindrical chamber open-- ing thereinto through u reduced opening, said chamber having its remote end coinmunicatively connected t0 the Supply pipe on opposite sides of said chamber, a plungerlike valve operable in the cylindrical Chainber and having a Stein portion slidable through the reduced opening, and means extending into said remote end and engageable by the valve to be operated thereby for supplying heut to the Water flowing through said pipe.

In testimony whereof I aix my SigneM ture.

CHARLES W. MILLS. 

